Glenn
11-30-2007, 09:48 AM
:chad:
Q&A with Chad Ford
ESPN’s NBA Insider chose Pistons to win it all in June
by Ryan Pretzer
ESPN.com’s NBA Insider Chad Ford chose the Pistons as his championship prediction for their “NBA Preview 2007.” He was the only one of 18 ESPN contributors to pick Detroit. (The Spurs were the popular pick with eight.) Pistons.com asked Chad why he likes the Pistons in 2007-08 and if anything in the season’s first month has changed his mind.
Chad, you were the only ESPN contributor to pick the Pistons to win it all. What was the general consensus of your peers about that selection?
Chad Ford: We didn't really have a discussion about it. I know John Hollinger has been down on the Pistons for the past couple of years. I think J. A. Adande is high on them as well. I think for people like me, it's a knowledge of their younger players like Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson that helps. Most NBA analysts aren't as familiar with rookies and D-League players.
Were you able to convert any naysayers?
CF:Yeah ... that never happens. Everyone I work with has strong opinions. That's why they have the job they do.
When did you start liking Detroit as a championship pick? What happened that made you look at them as a championship team again?
CF: I've actually been picking them for the past two years and they've disappointed me in the playoffs after strong starts to the season. I just feel like they know that the clock is ticking. The talent is there. And this year I felt that their depth was better than in the past three years.
The Spurs are the clear favorite among your peers, and we know the reasons for that. What do you like about the Pistons in that matchup with San Antonio to win it in seven games?
CF: You remember how close their last series was [in the 2005 Finals]. I just feel like the Pistons have a little more depth, some more youth and some energy. I'm not knocking the Spurs. They are amazing, but they've never won back-to-back championships. I feel if the Pistons are going to make their move, this is the year.
You had prefaced it your pick, "But if they make it that far…" Who do you see as their primary competition in the East?
CF: Boston is obviously going to be very, very tough if they can stay healthy. I think they are the primary competition. I honestly don't see anyone in the East quite ready. Cleveland seems to have taken a step back. Orlando is up and coming but not ready yet. I think the Bulls will struggle until the get a low post presence.
"They beat themselves" has been a common refrain the past two postseasons with this team. Do you think they've remedied that situation?
CF: Only time will tell. They used to be a hungry team. Since they won the Finals, they've been great, but not hungry. Hopefully after some major disappointments the past few years, they're hungry again.
You recently had Joe Dumars as a guest on a recent podcast. How would you evaluate his reaction to media and public outcry to break up the core after the East finals defeat?
CF: I don't think Joe listens to any of us. That's what makes him a great GM. He knows what he wants to do and knows his team better than anyone in the media. I honestly feel that he's the Pistons’ greatest asset. Great management in the NBA is very hard to come by. Not only is Joe, in my opinion, the sharpest GM in the league, he's got a great staff with John Hammond, Tony Ronzone, Jeff Weltman and George David. Hammond, for example, could be a GM on just about any team he wanted to.
Do you think Dumars has to do anything at the trade deadline or can they win it all if they stand pat?
CF: I think he'll make a move if it doesn't mean sacrificing the future.
Internally or around the league, what do you see as the Pistons' biggest impediment to another championship?
CF: Age and complacency. Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups are getting up there. The Pistons have great trainers in Mike Abdenour and Arnie Kander. If you look at how healthy the Pistons have been over the past five years - it's been amazing.
Has anything you've seen in the season's first 3-4 weeks made you reconsider your pick?
CF: The team has been up and down a bit, but they're playing without Stuckey and Johnson is just getting back. I think they and the Celtics are the teams to beat.
Just out of curiosity … you didn't pick Dallas last year, I hope?
CF: I picked the Spurs.
Q&A with Chad Ford
ESPN’s NBA Insider chose Pistons to win it all in June
by Ryan Pretzer
ESPN.com’s NBA Insider Chad Ford chose the Pistons as his championship prediction for their “NBA Preview 2007.” He was the only one of 18 ESPN contributors to pick Detroit. (The Spurs were the popular pick with eight.) Pistons.com asked Chad why he likes the Pistons in 2007-08 and if anything in the season’s first month has changed his mind.
Chad, you were the only ESPN contributor to pick the Pistons to win it all. What was the general consensus of your peers about that selection?
Chad Ford: We didn't really have a discussion about it. I know John Hollinger has been down on the Pistons for the past couple of years. I think J. A. Adande is high on them as well. I think for people like me, it's a knowledge of their younger players like Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson that helps. Most NBA analysts aren't as familiar with rookies and D-League players.
Were you able to convert any naysayers?
CF:Yeah ... that never happens. Everyone I work with has strong opinions. That's why they have the job they do.
When did you start liking Detroit as a championship pick? What happened that made you look at them as a championship team again?
CF: I've actually been picking them for the past two years and they've disappointed me in the playoffs after strong starts to the season. I just feel like they know that the clock is ticking. The talent is there. And this year I felt that their depth was better than in the past three years.
The Spurs are the clear favorite among your peers, and we know the reasons for that. What do you like about the Pistons in that matchup with San Antonio to win it in seven games?
CF: You remember how close their last series was [in the 2005 Finals]. I just feel like the Pistons have a little more depth, some more youth and some energy. I'm not knocking the Spurs. They are amazing, but they've never won back-to-back championships. I feel if the Pistons are going to make their move, this is the year.
You had prefaced it your pick, "But if they make it that far…" Who do you see as their primary competition in the East?
CF: Boston is obviously going to be very, very tough if they can stay healthy. I think they are the primary competition. I honestly don't see anyone in the East quite ready. Cleveland seems to have taken a step back. Orlando is up and coming but not ready yet. I think the Bulls will struggle until the get a low post presence.
"They beat themselves" has been a common refrain the past two postseasons with this team. Do you think they've remedied that situation?
CF: Only time will tell. They used to be a hungry team. Since they won the Finals, they've been great, but not hungry. Hopefully after some major disappointments the past few years, they're hungry again.
You recently had Joe Dumars as a guest on a recent podcast. How would you evaluate his reaction to media and public outcry to break up the core after the East finals defeat?
CF: I don't think Joe listens to any of us. That's what makes him a great GM. He knows what he wants to do and knows his team better than anyone in the media. I honestly feel that he's the Pistons’ greatest asset. Great management in the NBA is very hard to come by. Not only is Joe, in my opinion, the sharpest GM in the league, he's got a great staff with John Hammond, Tony Ronzone, Jeff Weltman and George David. Hammond, for example, could be a GM on just about any team he wanted to.
Do you think Dumars has to do anything at the trade deadline or can they win it all if they stand pat?
CF: I think he'll make a move if it doesn't mean sacrificing the future.
Internally or around the league, what do you see as the Pistons' biggest impediment to another championship?
CF: Age and complacency. Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups are getting up there. The Pistons have great trainers in Mike Abdenour and Arnie Kander. If you look at how healthy the Pistons have been over the past five years - it's been amazing.
Has anything you've seen in the season's first 3-4 weeks made you reconsider your pick?
CF: The team has been up and down a bit, but they're playing without Stuckey and Johnson is just getting back. I think they and the Celtics are the teams to beat.
Just out of curiosity … you didn't pick Dallas last year, I hope?
CF: I picked the Spurs.